Description
Comforting warm soft-baked apple cinnamon rolls bring sweet nostalgia from Midwestern kitchens. Homemade dough swirled with caramelized apples and rich cinnamon creates a delightful morning treat you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 565 grams (20 ounces) all-purpose flour
- 250 milliliters (8.5 fluid ounces) whole milk, lukewarm
- 100 grams (3.5 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
Sweeteners and Yeast:
- 50 grams (1.75 ounces) granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dried yeast
Seasoning:
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Prepare the brioche dough by combining lukewarm milk, sugar, and yeast in a bowl, allowing it to foam for 10-15 minutes.
- In a stand mixer, blend flour, salt, and remaining sugar, then incorporate the milk mixture and egg, mixing on low speed.
- Gradually add butter while mixing, continuing until the dough becomes smooth and soft, about 7-10 minutes.
- Shape the dough into a ball, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until doubled in size.
- Create the apple filling by melting butter in a skillet and cooking diced apples with sugar, cinnamon, and salt until tender.
- Sprinkle corn starch over the apple mixture, stirring until thickened, then chill.
- Toast pecans in a 350°f oven for 10 minutes, checking for even browning, then set aside.
- Prepare the brown sugar cinnamon filling by mixing butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.
- Roll out the chilled dough into a large rectangle, ensuring even edges.
- Spread the brown sugar cinnamon mixture evenly across the dough’s surface.
- Layer the prepared apple filling over the cinnamon mixture.
- Sprinkle chopped toasted pecans on top of the apple filling.
- Carefully roll the dough into a tight spiral, starting from the long side.
- Chill the rolled dough for 20 minutes to facilitate cleaner cutting.
- Slice the dough log into 12 equal pieces, arranging them in a greased baking dish.
- Allow rolls to rise for 45-60 minutes until puffy and slightly indented when touched.
- Bake in a preheated 350°f oven for 35-40 minutes until deep golden brown.
- Prepare cream cheese frosting by whipping butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, heavy cream, and salt until light and fluffy.
- Spread frosting over slightly warm rolls.
- Store leftover rolls in an airtight container, reheating briefly before serving.
Notes
- Chill the dough overnight for deeper flavor development and easier handling during rolling.
- Toast pecans carefully to enhance their nutty aroma without burning, checking frequently during roasting.
- Use lukewarm milk when activating yeast to ensure proper fermentation and soft dough texture.
- Create uniform rolls by using a ruler and sharp knife for precise, even cutting.
- Prep Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 218
- Sugar: 4.2g
- Sodium: 0.1g
- Fat: 8.3g
- Saturated Fat: 5.0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31.7g
- Fiber: 1.2g
- Protein: 4.9g
- Cholesterol: 41mg